United Nations Development Programme
Government of Belarus
Project Document
Project title Development of a regional social policy model for poverty reduction in Belarus
UNDP Country Programme Outcome
Economic growth and increase in living standards achieved through the implementation of the following components:
Incorporation of the aims of poverty reduction and better living standards into socio-economic policies;
Mitigation of negative social costs of agricultural and industrial reforms with a special focus on prevention and containment of unemployment in small towns; Increasing employability and entrepreneurship of vulnerable groups;
Development of statistical methods and tools.
Expected project outputs
Main project outputs will include:
A comprehensive system to monitor social development, quality of life and standards of living in the regions
A concept note, detailing a comprehensive regional policy model aiming to reduce inequalities in the standards of living and quality of life and integrated into the national planning system;
Avenues for improving the targeting of social assistance explored in a pilot mini-project implemented at the Rayon level; opportunities for improving instructional, information and technical support for targeted social assistance provision identified through such a project;
Improved intra-governmental coordination at the national and local levels and stronger multisectoral partnerships leading to increased national capacity to formulate and implement comprehensive regional policies; More reliable social safety nets and more accessible social services;
improved coping skills of the most vulnerable population groups, leading to increased rates of econonomic activity, market participation and self-employment.
National
Implementing Agency The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus
Cooperating Agency National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus
Brief description
The project aims to improve the standards and quality of living in the regions and is linked to social government programs. It builds the capacity of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and other government agencies to formulate social assistance policies and design interventions to reduce unemployment and strengthen social safety nets in small cities and rural communities. Main activities include completion of a comprehensive analysis of social conditions in a pilot Rayon, covering the Rayon centre, principal monoindustrial cities and selected rural communities; proposing interventions to improve regional social policy formulation and piloting of new approaches to social service provision and enterprise promotion.
UNDP Country Programme: 2006-2010
UNDP thematic area: Promoting inclusive growth, gender equality and achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the MDGs
Award ID 00057318
Project ID in Atlas: 00070759 Project start: 1 June 2009
Project end: 1 December 2011 (30 months) PAC meeting date: 13.05.2008
Management Arrangements: NEX
Total budget: USD 240,000 Allocated resources:
including:
UNDP TRAC $ 195,000
MDG-S Fund $ 45,000
Approved by: Name Position Signature Date
Implementing agency:
V.N. Potupchik
Minister of Labour and Social Protection
UNDP:
Antonius Broek
UNDP Resident Representative
3 TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION I. SITUATION ANALYSIS ... 5
BACKGROUND ... 5
KEY STAKEHOLDERS AND PROJECT BENEFICIARIES ... 6
LINKAGE TO UNDP PRIORITIES ... 6
SECTION II. PROJECT STRATEGY ... 7
PROJECT OBJECTIVES, TASKS AND ACTIVITIES ... 7
SECTION III. RESULTS AND RESOURCES ...13
SECTION IV. WORKPLAN 2009 ...18
WORKPLAN 2010 ...20
WORKPLAN 2011 ...22
SECTION V. PROJECT MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS ...24
SECTION VI. MONITORING AND EVALUATION ...26
SECTION VII: LEGAL CONTEXT ...28
SECTION VIII. APPENDICES ...29
APPENDIX 1. TERMS OF REFERENCES FOR THE PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE ...29
APPENDIX 2. TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR PROJECT MANAGER ...30
APPENDIX 3: RISK ANALYSIS ...33
APPENDIX 4. MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN ...34
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
MDG Millennium Development Goals
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNDP Office The United Nations Development Programme Country Office in the Republic of Belarus
BRC UNDP Regional Center for Europe and the CIS in Bratislava ME The Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus
MLSP The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus Belstat The National Statistics Committee of the Republic of Belarus
NPRS The National Poverty Prevention Strategy
MDG project UNDP project in Belarus entitled "Development of the system to monitor progress towards the Millennium Development Goals”
PSC Project Steering Committee
PM Project Manager
SECTION I. SITUATION ANALYSIS BACKGROUND
Despite Belarus’ impressive progress in reducing the poverty rate from 46.7% in 1999 to 6.1% in 2008, a comprehensive analysis conducted by the World Bank and the joint UNDP/Government of Belarus project “Assisting in elaborating the basic foundation for the National Poverty Reduction Strategy in the Republic of Belarus” (2003-2006) identified a number of population groups most vulnerable to poverty, e.g., large families with three or more children, single parent households, workers with a low level of education, and the disabled receiving social pensions. The analysis also revealed that in rural areas and small towns the poverty rate was above the national average. The local economies in these communities are dominated by state-owned enterprises, most of which are overstaffed and dependent on state subsidies. The workers at such enterprises are thus highly vulnerable to poverty. Restructuring of state-owned enterprises may exacerbate social tensions in these communities.
Accessible and diverse social services are important determinants of quality of life. Local centres for social protection, operating in the status of state institutions, are the main providers of such services at community level. Innovative methods of social work and wider use of social contracting could significantly improve coverage and outreach of these centres to the needy populations.
Successful regional development depends on effective prevention of poverty and social exclusion. These priorities are addressed in a number of government programmers. The State Programme for Development of Small Cities for 2007-2010 aims to facilitate local economic development, promote job creation and improve the social infrastructure. The State Rural Development Programme for 2005-2010 establishes development priorities for rural communities. The State Program of Social Protection of Senior Citizens, Veterans and Persons Suffered from the Consequences of Wars (2006-1010) and the Program of Improving the System of Social Work with Single Senior Citizens up until 2010 will serve to improve the situation of senior citizens, strengthening their social protection and improving quality of life.
Economic growth supported by investments is key to improving living standards in small cities and rural areas. Attracting investments to these communities is therefore a priority for government policies. A favourable social environment and stable livelihoods are contributing factors to investment promotion.
Poverty reduction policies should also consider the socio-economic impact of the world financial crisis. Current data on employment and income trends among the most vulnerable population groups are important to monitor changes in the standards of living, improve the targeting social protection measures and provide better social services. At present, most such data are available only at the national and oblast levels of aggregation, are collected by different agencies and presented with a time lag. The coping capacities and strategies employed remain poorly explored. Addressing this knowledge gap would help formulate better policy responses, target social protection and mitigate the negative effects of enterprise restructuring at the local level.
Previous UNDP projects “Community-Level Dialogue and Partnerships to Reduce the Impact of Enterprise Restructuring on Poverty and Unemployment in Belarus" (2002-2003) and “Assisting in Elaborating the basic foundation for the National Poverty Reduction Strategy in the Republic of Belarus” (2003-2006), implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, facilitated improvements in the area.
This technical assistance project was initiated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in collaboration with UNDP. It will build government capacity to monitor changes in the living standards, unemployment and poverty in the regions, particularly at the rayon, small city and village levels, and to develop a regional social policy model for poverty reduction in Belarus. The emphasis is on enhancing national management capacity for crisis management, and formulation of policies to promote employment, improve services, enhance resource allocation for social protection.
KEY STAKEHOLDERS AND PROJECT BENEFICIARIES
The project strengthens the capacity of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and its regional offices to mount policy responses to modern challenges and to coordinate their interventions with the local authorities and the population at the national, regional and local levels.
The project engages a wide range of stakeholders and organizations of the socio-economic profile such as the Ministry of Economy, National Statistics Committee, research and development institutions, government and local NGOs.
The main target groups include:
National and oblast governments. The project will strengthen their capacities to make informed decisions regarding social service provision and to formulate a comprehensive regional social policy model. Use of this model will support implementation of state socio-economic programmers.
Local governments. The project will facilitate the search for new tools, methods and mechanisms to serve the local populations. Improved services will mitigate social risks by building on the strengths and coping capabilities of the local residents, promote employment and raise the standards of living.
General population. The project will work directly with the population of the pilot rayon. In addition, state social policy-making will indirectly affect standards and quality of living of the Belarusian population in general by improving the state system of targeted social assistance, enhancing performance of rayon labor, employment and social protection authorities as well as local centers for social assistance.
LINKAGE TO UNDP PRIORITIES
A UNDP strategy for RBEC (2008-2011) emphasizes the importance of promoting economic growth while also reducing the levels of social exclusion of the poor and income inequality. The focus is on strengthening support for decision making by: (a) supporting collection and analysis of poverty data that are disaggregated by vulnerability criteria (e.g., gender, ethnicity, age, health status, sub-national location); (b) enhancing capacities of statistical offices to better capture the complexities of poverty and social exclusion; c) promoting the use of disaggregated data by policy makers, professionals, local authorities, NGOs and international organizations at decision making and project-related and social activities. Particular priority is attached to improving social policies and economic governance in the wake of the global financial crisis.
UNDP supports the efforts undertaken by countries to develop their own definitions, ratings, terms, criteria and indicators of poverty at the national level, as well as strategic program documents and measures to implement them. Such efforts are viewed as important contributors to reducing poverty and social costs of the transition period, and a catalyst of positive change in the living standards and quality of life.
This project contributes to the achievement of MDG-1 and is consistent with the goals and objectives of the UNDP Country Programme for Belarus for 2006-2010. Specifically, the project supports delivery of country programme outputs by bringing direct benefits to the citizens of Belarus, drawing on UNDP’s global experience and know-how, it forging new partnerships between national stakeholders as well as between Government and the private sector, meeting national priorities and strengthening local-level initiatives.
The project falls into the Country Programme thematic area “Promoting economic growth and improving popular living standards”. Project outputs specifically address the following country programme objectives:
Incorporate the aims of poverty reduction and better living standards into socio-economic policies;
7
Strengthen poverty monitoring/analysis and advocacy;
Mitigate the social costs of agricultural and industrial reforms with a special focus on prevention and containment of unemployment in small towns;
Increase employability and entrepreneurship of vulnerable groups.
The project will build on the experience and potential of UNDP on-going projects. It will be carried out in cooperation with the following projects “Improving the administrative and economic environment for private sector development by facilitating public-private dialogue”, "Support to Microfinance Development in Belarus”, “Promoting Private Sector Activity in the Regions by Strengthening Small Business Development Centers, “Area-based Development of the Chernobyl-affected Areas of Belarus”.
SECTION II. PROJECT STRATEGY
PROJECT OBJECTIVES, TASKS AND ACTIVITIES The project aims to achieve two objectives:
Objective 1. Comprehensive assessment and monitoring of the social situation in the regions, development of an early warning system for poverty prevention.
Objective 2. Development and implementation of a comprehensive regional social policy model aimed at reduction of regional inequalities in the standards of living and quality of life.
A comprehensive regional social policy model is systematic strategies implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection at oblast and rayon levels to achieve the maximum cumulative effect to reduce inequalities in the standards and quality of living. The model includes:
Diagnostics of the social situation, assessment of current social policies, approaches and mechanism to identify social problems at the local level;
Effective instruments for improving social assistance and building up the capacity of the population to independently copy with difficult situations;
Introducing innovations in the social assistance sphere. The specific tasks of the project include:
Develop a system of monitoring social development at the regional / district level, design a regional social policy model aimed at reducing regional income inequalities; testing the social policy model in pilot regions;
Provide methodological, technical and information support for improved targeting of social protection in the pilot rayon;
Improve peoples’ access to labor, employment, social assistance and social services through local centers of social assistance;
Improve coordination of different central government bodies, local authorities, self-government and cross-sectoral cooperation in implementing regional social policy;
Facilitate exchange of best practices on poverty reduction measures and provide training of socially vulnerable groups to promote self-employment.
The following project activities will be undertaken:
Developing a set of regional social indicators as a part of BelarusInfo;
Training of ministries and local authorities in regular monitoring of regional social indicators with BelarusInfo;
Analysis of living standards in the pilot rayon based on national statistics and administrative data provided by rayon authorities in labor, employment and social protection;
Assessment of potential labor surplus in mono-towns and support to monitoring of local labor market;
Participatory survey of living standards of local population;
Conducting structured interviews with authorities in labor, employment and social protection to identify problems in regional social policy;
Development of recommendations to the Government to enhance regional social policies in poverty prevention;
Testing and introduction of innovations in the practice of the employment and social services and their integration in state programs and rayon’s economic and social development plan.
A synergistic effect from the proposed project activities will entail:
Expanded access and improved quality of regional/rayon data as evidence for social diagnostics and early warning of high unemployment and poverty risks as well as monitoring of social services and analysis of problems;
Increased government capacity to monitor social needs of population and their recognition in programs of socio-economic development of regions and small towns, and in targeted state social programs;
Effective and expanded employment and social protection measures and services contributing to better people’s living standards in small towns and rural settings.
Impact: The project will improve intra-governmental co-ordination, strengthen regional social policies and service delivery; promote employment, reduce of the incidence of poverty, and improvement the standards of living and quality of life.
Output 1. Comprehensive assessment and monitoring of the social situation in the regions, development of an early warning system for poverty prevention
Rationale
In order to develop an effective social policy at the regional level the Government of Belarus needs a system of monitoring indicators disaggregated at the level of rayons/districts and towns needed to assess the local situation impartially. The problem is complicated by the fact that such data are collected by different government agencies without proper co-ordination. No systemized set of the required data currently exists and no regular rayon reporting and analysis is available. The project will work in close cooperation with the UNDP project “Development of the system to monitor progress towards the Millennium Development Goals”. This will ensure integration of social indicators into the national computerized database BelarusInfo created based on the Devinfo software consistent with international best practices.
Activity 1.1 Developing of a set of regional social indicators as a part of BelarusInfo The UNDP project “Development of the System to Monitor the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals” intends to create BelarusInfo software with a unified database identifying a number of indicators of socio-economic development of the Republic of Belarus and expanding the monitoring system to the rayon level. Within the national statistical system nation-wide living standards’ indicators are derived from the household survey. Other social indicators (e.g. on employment, social services, education, health and housing) are available from administrative statistics. Many of these indicators are currently available only at the national and oblast level of aggregation.
9 Aimed at relevant coordination, the project will ensure the joint work of experts from both projects to harmonize the system of social indicators at the regional level. The list of indicators and a methodology for data collection, reporting and analysis will be developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the National Statistics Committee, local authorities and other stakeholders. The proposals are suggested to meet the monitoring requirements stipulated by the State Programme for the Development of Medium and Small Towns for 2006-2010 and the State Programme for Rural Development 2005-2010.
The current activity is expected to lead to development of a set of regional social indicators integrated into the BelarusInfo system. A methodology for regular data collection in rayons will be proposed; a new software product with visual/mapping tools will be produced. This will enable regular regional social monitoring as well as design and realization of preventative poverty-related measures.
Activity 1.2 Training of ministries and local authorities in regular monitoring of regional social indicators with BelarusInfo
Application of new software requires appropriate training of prospective users. The project will train the staff of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, other government agencies and regional authorities in the use of new methods of social diagnostics, application of technical capabilities and data of BelarusInfo.
Output 2: Development and implementation of a comprehensive regional social policy model aimed at reduction of regional inequalities in the standards and quality of life.
Rationale
The required social policy measures should be developed based on an in-depth analysis of social conditions in pilot rayons that will assess local needs for employment and social services. The project therefore will undertake such a detailed pilot assessment in a rayon centre, a mono-enterprise town and a village in the same rayon. The inclusion of the rayon centre, a mono-town and a village will allow tracking down the vertical chain of social service delivery from a rayon to a basic territorial entity village. The assessment will enable to identify and specify current social problems of population with regard to a particular territorial entity type as well as to assess their vulnerability to poverty incidence. Statistical assessment of the standards and quality of life will be supplemented by a qualitative participatory assessment, an analysis of local labor market and social assistance delivered, and interviews with social service providers on enhancement of social assistance tools.
Analytical data on quantitative and qualitative assessment of locally specific social problems (“rayon – a rayon center – mono-enterprise town – typical village") will provide a social portrait of the selected rayons and enhance targeted social assistance.
Analysis, targets, priorities and processes for introducing innovations designed to develop and approbate an effective social policy at regional level will be harmonized based on population needs assessment and capacity analysis of social services providers.
Activity 2.1 Analysis of living standards in pilot rayons based on national statistics and administrative data provided by rayon authorities in labor, employment and social protection; The assessment of the pilot rayon will begin with collection and analysis of available national and institutional statistics on local living standards and social conditions. Living standards and social conditions in the rayon will be assessed using data from the Household Budget Survey that provide oblast level data differentiated by urban and rural areas and other social indicators such as the rate of unemployment, number of recipients of targeted state social assistance, coverage of different population groups with social services. Administrative regional data on employment, social services and targeted state social assistance will supplement the analysis.
Activity 2.2 Assessment of potential labor surplus in mono-towns and support to monitoring of local labor market
The project will estimate potential labour surplus at main enterprises in a mono-town in order to assess risks of unemployment that may be caused by future restructuring of the enterprises that serve as main employers of the local labour force. Such estimate will be done by comparing current levels of labour productivity (employment per unit of production) with benchmark enterprises in the same industry in neighboring countries (e.g. Lithuania and Poland) that have undergone restructuring. The estimate of potential redundant labour force will be compared with local and national rates of unemployment. An assessment of the buoyancy of the local labour market, as well as the age and skill profile of the current workforce. A study tour will be organised in order to learn foreign experience in the area.
The project will support local authorities and employment services in setting up regular monitoring of local labour markets. This work will be carried out in the following stages:
Coordination of a list of local labor market indicators, including numbers and dynamics of local labour force, its demographic and gender structure, qualification of the labour force, participation rates, hiring and firings, the rate of unemployment, structure of unemployment with particular focus on the youth, women, disabled and long-term unemployed.
Elabouration of methodological recommendations for data collection and analysis. In particular all administrative sources of data will be reviewed and methods of its analysis will be proposed.
The activity will result in a developed methodology of local labour market monitoring aimed at forecasting poverty incidence among the most vulnerable groups. To identify employment perspectives and smooth risks, a series of trainings on socially responsible restructuring of main enterprises will be organized.
Activity 2.3 Participatory survey of living standards of local population
Subjective self-rating of socio-economic status contributes to impartial statistical analysis of standards and quality of life. In order to capture data specifying the situation in qualitative aspects, the project will conduct a participatory survey. International community applies a participatory approach to identify current social needs and problems of population and, coping strategies. In particular living standards are only partially dependent on monetary income (salary). The evidence suggests that survival strategies are substantially dependent on other means as well. Involvement of unemployed in economic activities, poverty prevention or independent copying with poverty is seen as support of those means. Special attention is paid to the current social capacity of population taken with regard to its structure and social networks availability. The suggested approach enables to identify entrepreneurial capacity of population and suggest the most effective tools and methods of the state support.
The method of this participatory assessment will include focus group discussions with representatives of the population, including both working and unemployed, young families, low income beneficiaries of state targeted social assistance, pensioners, and disabled. Thus the assessment will be comprehensive in covering all categories of local population.
Subject to further design work the field methods are likely to be based on an approach commonly known as PRA (Participatory Reflection and Action). That being the case, two types or levels of research will be used: a) field methods to be deployed in and around the selected sites; b) analytical integration and triangulation of the field results with data and testimony from other sources.This enables to produce a social portrait of the region.
11 The result of participatory assessment will be strengthening local social protection measures in a number of ways. First, it will enrich and broaden MLSP understanding of people’s needs by including the analysis of the vulnerable citizens themselves. It will lead to more constructive elabouration and implementation of economic and social development plans. Second, local residents will be involved in discussions and problems-solving.
Following the results of such activities a methodology for conducting participatory surveys and preparing social portraits tested in the pilot region will be developed. They will be submitted to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection as a toolset for making subsequent assessments of social environment in other regions.
Activity 2.4 Structured interviews with social services providers
Interviews with local service providers will review of existing institutional arrangements, administrative guidelines, targeting and evaluation mechanisms, procedures and practices in the delivery of social support and services. The main purpose of this analysis is to reveal gaps and needs in strengthening service delivery, including systems, methods and personnel. Participants will discuss possibilities to improve social support tools, active measures at labor market to stimulate for local residents facing the risk of poverty, identify innovations in social support to population.
These interviews will result in a methodology of conducting interviews within the MLSP system and an analytical report with the interview results. Both documents will serve to propose recommendations to the Government.
Activity 2.5 Development of recommendations to enhance regional social policies in poverty prevention
The needs assessment and analysis of capacities of social services providers will serve to harmonise targets, priorities and processes for introducing innovations aimed at development of comprehensive regional social policy model.
Based on the comprehensive analysis of the data provided by the project stakeholders and taking into account opinions of all the target groups, recommendations for the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection will be elaborated. They will focus on improving social policies related to employment, poverty prevention, assistance to the most vulnerable groups, topical areas of regional social services development and ways of introducing them into state programs and rayon’s socio-economic development plans. Recommendations on enhancing regional social policies in poverty prevention will be systematized to be a background of the comprehensive regional social policy model.
Activity 2.6 Testing and introduction of innovations in the practice of the employment and social services and their integration in state programs and rayon’s economic and social development plans
The project plans to attract the most successful international experience of delivering social services, its adjusting and testing at the pilot rayon.
The innovations will affect three following areas:
1. Enhancing the system of delivery of targeted state social assistance, in particular, the procedures of verifying eligibility and validity of its reasons; differentiated accounting of categories of different types of applicants, their incomes, benefits and allowances. In addition, proposals will be elaborated relating to comparison of the official poverty threshold (the
minimum subsistence budget) with the eligibility criteria to justify receiving targeted state social assistance. Such comparison will use the data collected during the pilot study, adequacy verification of the applied filters aimed to avoid an increase of dependant behavior among the recipients of such assistance, minimizing inclusion/exclusion errors. The key principle of the new model should be coherence, simplicity and consistency in the recordkeeping system structure. It will enable to develop and accumulate data in electronic databases and identify discrepancies in information provided by applicants.
2. Modeling a system of delivery of certain social services types based on a state order. Recommendations will be proposed to introduce the mechanism of “social order to social facilities” as a component of social entrepreneurship development.
3. Work with employable population to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship in such areas as promoting socially-responsible restructuring of the core economic enterprises, introducing social entrepreneurship, improving financial knowledge of the population to make planning more efficient, training people in planning and managing family budgets (savings, investments, risks), developing social partnerships enhancing prevention of such social ills as stress, aggression, family violence, alcoholism, drug-abuse, etc.
Project consultants will support the local MLSP staff by providing trainings and consultations on pilot innovations. It is expected that policy innovations tested by practice will be integrated in socio-economic planning of rayons, mono-industry towns and villages, as well as be reflected in the labor-related work plans and programmes of the MLSP.
To disseminate lessons learned on comprehensive regional policies development, a series of meetings will be held in the regions involving representatives from all levels of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and regional authorities.
A publication will be prepared on the project results and findings and presented at the final project conference. The publication will represent a regional social policy model for poverty reduction in Belarus.
SECTION III. RESULTS AND RESOURCES
UNDP Country Programme Outcome 2006-2010: Poverty reduction incorporated into national socio-economic planning and policies. Project outputs deal with achievements of the following goals identified by the Country Programme: help incorporate the aims of poverty reduction and better living standards into socio-economic policies, strengthening poverty monitoring/analysis and advocacy; mitigate negative social costs of agricultural and industrial reforms with a special focus on prevention and containment of unemployment in small towns; increasing employability and entrepreneurship of vulnerable groups.
UNDP Country Programme indicators: Main principles of the National Poverty Prevention Strategy developed and linked to the National Strategy of Sustainable Development and other strategic policies; Baseline: The National Poverty Prevention Strategy conceptualized.
Thematic area (as per UNDP Strategic Plan for 2008-2011): Promoting inclusive growth, gender equality and achievement of the MDGs Partners: Ministry of Economy, National Statistics Committee, regional and local authorities
Project title: Development of a regional social policy model for poverty reduction in Belarus EXPECTED RESULTS VS. PROJECT
OBJECTIVES
TARGET INDICATORS
(2009-2011) MAIN ACTIVITIES
RESPONSIBLE
PARTIES INPUTS
1. Comprehensive assessment and monitoring of the social situation in the regions, development of an early warning system for poverty prevention
Baseline:
1. Absence of regular monitoring of employment and socio-economic situation at the regional level in the interests of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection
2. Staff of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (incl. in the regions) not familiar with the BelarusInfo software
Indicators:
1. A set of regional social development
indicators for monitoring employment and socio-economic situation of the population integrated into BelarusInfo
2. 60 staff of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and local authorities trained to use BelarusInfo
1st year
1. A systematized set of regional social
development indicators for monitoring
employment and socio-economic situation of the population produced and discussed
2. 10 staff of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and local authorities trained to apply BelarusInfo (basic version)
2nd year
1. Integration of social indicators into the software suite BelarusInfo; preparation of methodologies for regular collection of regional social indicators and their introduction in the BelarusInfo
2. 25 staff of regional MLSP offices and local
authorities trained to apply BelarusInfo
(advanced package)
3rd year
1. Introduction of the methodology for regular collection of social indicators in rayons and their reflection in the BelarusInfo
2. 25 staff of MLSP regional offices and local authorities trained to apply the BelarusInfo (adapted version)
1.1. Develop a system of social indicators of regional development as a part of the BelarusInfo system.
Organize a group of experts to develop a
set of social indicators
Integrate social indicators into the
BelarusInfo (adapted version)
Elaborate the methodology for regular
collection of rayon social indicators with the BelarusInfo software
1.2. Training of ministries and local authorities in regular monitoring of regional social indicators with the BelarusInfo
Conduct trainings to MLSP staff and local
authorities in all fields
PM Ministry of Labor and Social Protection in cooperation with the MDG project/ Ministry of Economy, Belstat 19,400 National consultants,
seminars and training sessions, consumables
2. Development and implementation of a comprehensive regional social policy model aimed at reduction of regional inequalities in the standards and quality of life
Baseline:
1. Absence of a comprehensive regional social policy aimed at reducing inequalities in the standards and quality of life
2. A need to include activities on poverty prevention and social services development into rayons and regions development plans 3. Low access of MLSP staff and regional
authorities to modern technologies in
employment and social support
4. Local employment and social services need new approaches and effective tools to implement policies on fostering employment and social protection of local population 5. Insufficient awareness on innovative approaches and applicable tools for poverty reduction and prevention
Indicators:
1. A set of methodologies for comprehensive monitoring of a rayon social development
2. Recommendations on developing a
comprehensive regional policy model, based on the results of the pilot study.
3. At least 6 seminars and a country-wide conference for MLSP and local authorities on improving regional social policies
4. At least 3 innovations introduced in planning and socio-economic development of pilot rayons, mono-enterprise towns and rural settlements
1st year
1. Development of methodologies for analysis and monitoring of labour market and living standars in a pilot rayon; conduction of the 1st part of analysis
2. A study visit arranged to learn experience on social diagnostics and incorporation of
poverty-related aspects into local sustainable
development plans (Slovakia)
3. Seminars on socially responsible restructuring and microfinance
4. International experience reviewed,
domestic best practices screened to identify potential innovations to be introduced into the practice of social services in a pilot rayon 5. Publication of a review of social innovations in neighboring countries.
2nd year
1. Completion of the study in the pilot rayon; guidelines on comprehensive social situation monitoring at the rayon level developed
2. Recommendations for the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection on developing a comprehensive regional policy model drafted 3. 2 seminars for social service providers and local authorities of the pilot rayon to identify niches for employment, to raise public awareness, to improve the system of social services delivery, to introduce innovations and new tools of social assistance
4. Introduction of innovations in social mapping, creating conditions for social entrepreneurship, organizing thematic training sessions for socially vulnerable population groups (coping strategy, raising awareness in popular finance and microfinance)
5. Preparation and publication of information leaflets on conditions and practices of social
2.1. Comprehensive analysis of social conditions in the chain " a rayon center – a mono-enterprise town – a village" that
allows to assess local needs for
employment and social services (using the example of the pilot rayon).
Analyze standards and quality of life in
pilot rayons based on the national
statistics and administrative data
provided by rayon authorities in labor, employment and social protection;
Assess potential labor surplus in
mono-towns and support to monitoring of local labor market;
Conduct a Participatory survey of living
standards of local population through structured interviews with authorities in labor, employment and social protection to identify problems in regional social policy;
Develop recommendations to the
Government to enhance regional social policies in poverty prevention, based on joint work of the population and social service providers.
PM
Ministry of Labor and its regional offices in cooperation with Ministry of Economy, Belstat 126,900 National consultants, publication of materials, consumables
2.2. Develop recommendations to the Government to enhance regional social policies in poverty prevention and improving quality and standards of life of the population
Prepare a set of guidelines based on the
completed studies (a methodology of assessing the local labor market and
social portrait of the rayon, a
participatory survey and a methodology of conducting structured interviews with social authorities)
Elaborate recommendations for local
authorities on improving social policies
PM
Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and its regional offices in cooperation with Ministry of Economy, Belstat National consultants, international consultants, seminars and a conference, publication of materials, consumables
15
5. 3 publications entrepreneurship, on the practice and prospects
of social services development in Belarus
3rd year
1. Recommendations on introduction of the comprehensive social assessment into regional socio-economic planning and local sustainable development plans (Local Agenda 21)
2. Discussion of recommendations on improving regional social policies of poverty prevention (a round table in the pilot rayon and the final project conference)
3. A seminar for social service providers and authorities of the pilot rayon (and other stakeholders) on social entrepreneurship 4. Introduction of proposed innovations into planning of local socio-economic development as well as to the practice of social work in the pilot rayon
5. Publication of a booklet on project results and findings.
and their integration in regional socio-economic development plans and local sustainable development plans (Local Agenda 21)
Prepare proposals improving state
assistance to socially vulnerable
population groups
Provide recommendations on
developing a comprehensive regional policy model based on the results of the pilot study
Conduct 2 regional seminars to
discussion the proposed
recommendations involving
representatives from all levels of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and regional authorities
Arrange the final conference to discuss
the proposed model of comprehensive regional social policy and ways of its incorporation into state programs and plans of socio-economic development of rayons
Publish a booklet of the project results
and findings
2.3. Introduce innovations in the practice of the employment and social assistance offices
Study the experience in social
diagnostics and integrate the poverty-related issue into territorial development plans. Arrange a study tour to Slovakia.
Study international experience of social
services delivery, including on the contractual basis (publication),
Study the conditions and practices of
PM
Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and its regional offices
National consultants, seminars and training sessions, a study visit, publication of materials, consumables
social entrepreneurship in Belarus (publication)
Conduct seminars on
socially-responsible restructuring and
microfinance
Arrange 2 seminars for social service
providers and authorities of the pilot rayon on identifying new areas for employment, raising public awareness, innovations and tools for providing social assistance to the population.
Prepare and test “social mapping” in
the pilot rayon
2.4. Identify and introduce innovations in the work with employable population aimed at promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship
Conduct 3 thematic trainings on
promoting coping strategies to socially vulnerable population groups in the pilot rayon
A seminar for social service providers
and authorities of the pilot rayon (and
other stakeholders) on social
entrepreneurship
Facilitate establishing a social
enterprise (feasibility study/business-plan for the establishment of a social enterprise).
3. Organization of project management, implementation and monitoring
Establish a system of project management and administration
Payments to project personnel (PM and APM)
Project planning and reporting
PM 93,700
Project personnel, equipment, rent, communications,
consumables
17 Review of budget planning in the project
Types of activity Budget distribution by years: Total:
2009 2010 2011
1. Comprehensive evaluation and monitoring of the level of social development of the regions, development of an early warning system for preventing poverty.
6,000 7,200 7,200 19,400
2. Development and implementation of a concept of a comprehensive regional social policy model aimed at reducing inequalities in the standards and quality of living of the population.
45,800 49,100 31,000 126,900
3. Organization of project management, implementation and monitoring
25,200 35,000 33,500 93,700
SECTION IV.WORKPLAN 2009 (draft, to be revised)
Expected outputs vs project indicators Key planned activities
Quarters Responsible parties
Planned budget
I II III IV Donor Budget Amount
1. Comprehensive assessment and monitoring of the social situation in the regions, development of an early warning system for poverty prevention
Target indicators (2009)
1. A systematized set of regional social development indicators for monitoring
employment and socio-economic situation of the population produced and discussed
2. 10 staff of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and local authorities trained to apply BelarusInfo (basic version)
1.1. Organizing a group of experts (in cooperation with representatives of MDGs project) to develop a set of social indicators for monitoring state social programs and ensuring the group performance
Х Х Х PM Regional
MDGs Project
71300 5,600
1.2. Training of MLSP staff involved in the project in applying basic suite of BelarusInfo
Х PM MLSP
UNDP 74200 400
Total 6,000
2. Development and implementation of a comprehensive regional social policy model aimed at reduction of regional inequalities in the standards and quality of life
Target indicators (2009):
1. Development of methodologies for analysis, evaluation and forecasting of labour market and living standards in a pilot rayon; conduction of the1st part of analysis;
2. A study visit arranged to study experience on social diagnostics and incorporation of poverty-related aspects into local sustainable development plans (Slovakia)
3. Seminars on socially responsible restructuring and microfinance
4. International experience reviewed, domestic best practices screened to identify potential innovations to be introduced into the practice of social
2.1 Selection of a pilot rayon X PM,PSC UNDP 71600 1,000
2.2. Development of a ToR and recruitment of consultants for conducting comprehensive analysis of socio-economic development of a pilot rayon
Х PM, UNDP
Regional Advisor, 2.3. Analyzing standards and quality of life in
pilot rayons based on the national statistics and
administrative data provided by rayon
authorities in labor, employment and social protection (report) X X Regional MDG project UNDP 71300 71600 2,500 500 2.4.Assessing potential labor surplus in
mono-towns and support to monitoring of local labor market (report); X X Regional MDG project UNDP 71300 71600 6,600 1,500 2.5.Preparing a set of guidelines based on the
completed studies (a methodology of assessing the local labor market and social portrait of the rayon, a participatory survey and a methodology
X X Regional
MDG project
19 Expected outputs vs project indicators Key planned activities
Quarters Responsible parties
Planned budget
I II III IV Donor Budget Amount
services in a pilot rayon
5. Publication of a review of social innovations in neighboring countries
of conducting structured interviews with social authorities)
2.6. Mission of UNDP Advisor on poverty prevention (Bratislava)
X Regional
MDG project
71600 2,500
2.7. Organizing a study visit to Slovakia to study social diagnostics and incorporation of
poverty-related aspects into local sustainable
development plans (Slovakia)
X Regional
MDG project
71600 7,200
2.8. Preparation and publication of analytical review of foreign experience in social services delivery X X Regional MDG project 71300 72100 3,000 3,000 2.9. Organizing a national seminar on socially
responsible restructuring of the core economic enterprises.
Х Regional
MDG project
7,600
2.10. Organizing a seminar on microfinance in a pilot rayon
Х UNDP 71300
71600
1,000 400 2.11. Studying capacities of a pilot rayon in
probation of social innovations. Discussion of analytical report on foreign experience in social services delivery and potential innovations for probation and introduction in a pilot rayon (development of a social map of a pilot rayon, establishment of a rayon council of social protection, etc.) Х X UNDP 71300 71600 1,000 1,000 Total: 45,800
3. Administrative support to the project (in total)
Project management, equipment, expendables, miscellaneous Х Х Х РM, APM UNDP 25,200 Grand Total in 2009 77,000 UNDP 32,000 Regional MDG project 45,000
WORKPLAN 2010 (draft, to be revised)
Expected outputs vs project indicators Key planned activities
Quarters Responsible parties
Planned budget
I II III IV Donor Budget Amount
1. Comprehensive assessment and monitoring of the social situation in the regions, development of an early warning system for poverty prevention.
Target indicators (2010)
1. Integration of social indicators into the software suite BelarusInfo; preparation of methodologies for regular collection of regional social indicators and their introduction in BelarusInfo
2. 25 staff of regional MLSP offices and local authorities trained to apply BelarusInfo (adapted version)
1.1. Ensuring work of expert group in cooperation with MDG project representatives aimed at integration of social indicators into BelarusInfo (adapted version)
Х Х UNDP 71300 3,500
1.2. Elaboration of the methodology for regular collection of rayon social indicators with BelarusInfo software
Х UNDP 71300 3,000
1.3.Organizing a training of regional MLSP and local authorities in regular monitoring of regional social indicators with BelarusInfo
Х РM UNDP 74200 700
Total 7,200
2. Development and implementation of a comprehensive regional social policy model aimed at reduction of inequalities in the standards and quality of life
Target indicators (2010):
1. Completion of the study in the pilot rayon;
guidelines on comprehensive social situation
monitoring at the rayon level developed.
2. Preparing draft recommendations on developing a comprehensive regional social policy
3. 2 seminars for social service providers and local authorities of the pilot rayon to identify niches for employment, to raise public awareness, to improve the system of social services delivery, to introduce innovations and new tools of social assistance
4. Introduction of innovations in social mapping, creating conditions for social entrepreneurship,
2.1. Completion of a comprehensive analysis of social conditions in the chain «a rayon center – a mono-enterprise town – a village" that allows to assess local needs for employment and social services (using the example of the pilot rayon).
Participatory survey of quality and standards of life of local population
X X РM UNDP 71300 9,000
Structured interviews with authorities in labour,
employment and social protection to identify problems in regional social policy; labour, employment and social protection
Х X РM UNDP 71300
71600
4,000 1,000
Preparing set of recommendations on conducting a
comprehensive analysis of social situation at a rayon level
Х PM, PSC UNDP 71300 3,000
2.2. Preparing draft recommendations on developing a
comprehensive regional social policy
X X Х PM, PSC UNDP 4,000
Organizing discussion of the proposed recommendations involving representatives from all levels of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and regional authorities
21 Expected outputs vs project indicators Key planned activities
Quarters Responsible parties
Planned budget
I II III IV Donor Budget Amount
organizing thematic training sessions for socially vulnerable population groups (coping strategy, raising awareness in popular finance and microfinance) 5. Preparation and publication of information leaflets on conditions and practices of social entrepreneurship in Belarus.
2.3. Conducting seminars for social service providers and authorities of the pilot rayon on identifying new areas for employment, raising public awareness, relevant areas of developing the system of social services delivery, mastering innovations and tools of social assistance delivery.
Х Х UNDP 71300
71600
2,000 800
2.4. Introduction of innovations developing a pilot rayon "social map”
Х UNDP 71300 3,000
2.5. Study of conditions and practices of social entrepreneurship in Belarus (publication)
Х Х UNDP 71300
74200
5,000 4,000 2.6. Development of feasibility study/ development plan for
the establishment of a social enterprise.
Х Х UNDP 71300 5,000
2.7. Conducting 3 thematic trainings to socially vulnerable population groups aimed at promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship, coping strategies and microfinance in the pilot rayon Х Х Х UNDP 71300 71600 74200 1,700 800 400 2.8. Organizing a study tour to learn international
experience on providing social services (or developing of social entrepreneurship) in case of receiving supplementary co-financing
UNDP
and c/s 5,000
Total: 49,100
3. Administrative support to the project (in total) Project management, ensuring office performance Х Х Х Х UNDP 35,000
WORKPLAN 2011 (draft, to be revised)
Expected outputs vs project indicators Key planned activities
Quarters Responsible parties Planned budget I II III I V
Donor Budget Amount
1. Comprehensive assessment and monitoring of the social situation in the regions, development of an early warning system for poverty prevention.
Target indicators (2011)
1. Introduction of the methodology for regular collection of social indicators in rayons and their reflection in Belarus info
2. 25 staff of MLSP regional offices and local authorities trained to apply BelarusInfo (adapted version)
1. Conducting a meeting for MLSP, Ministry of Economy, National Statistics Committee on probation and introduction of innovations in the practice of the employment and social services
Х PM, PSC UNDP 72400 1,000
1.2. Training of MLSP and local authorities in regular monitoring of regional social indicators in all areas
Х Х PM, MLSP UNDP 71300 71600 74200 3,000 1,800 1,400 Total: 7,200
2. Development and implementation of a comprehensive regional social policy model aimed at reduction of regional inequalities in the standards and quality of life
Target indicators (2011):
1. Developed recommendations on
introduction of the comprehensive social assessment into regional socio-economic planning and local sustainable development plans (Local Agenda 21)
2. Discussion of recommendations on improving regional social policies of poverty prevention (a round table in the pilot rayon and the final project conference)
3. A seminar for social service providers and authorities of the pilot rayon (and other stakeholders) on social entrepreneurship
2.1. Organizing a round table to discuss recommendations on improving regional social policies of poverty prevention and standards and quality of life of the population
Х 71300 71600 74200 800 600 600 2.2. Development of recommendations on
introduction of the comprehensive social
assessment into regional socio-economic planning and local sustainable development plans (Local Agenda 21)
Х Х 71300 2,000
2.3. Organizing a joint meeting for MLSP, Ministry of Economy, National Statistics Committee and NGOs on introduction of the comprehensive assessment results into regional socio-economic planning and local sustainable development plans
Х 71300 71600 74200 1,000 1,000 3,000 2.4. Introduction of proposed innovations into
social sphere of a pilot rayon
Х Х Х X 71300 2,000
2.5. Facilitating establishment of a social enterprise Х Х X 71300
71600
2,000 1,000
23
4. Introduction of proposed innovations into
planning of local socio-economic
development as well as to the practice of social work in the pilot rayon
5. Publishing a booklet of project results and findings.
2.6. Conducting a demonstration meeting on work with vulnerable population groups for the system of local centers for social assistance
Х 71300
71600
1,500 1,000 2.7 Preparing proposals improving state assistance
to socially vulnerable population groups based on the pilot project results
X X 71300 1,000
2.8. Press-tour to cover activities in a pilot rayon Х 74200
71300
2,000 1,000
2.9. Final conference summarizing project results X 74200
71300
5,000 500 2.10 Publishing a booklet of the project results and
findings (Russian and English)
X 74200 5,000
Total: 31,000
3. Administrative support to the project (in total)
Project management, ensuring office functioning Х Х Х X UNDP 33,500
SECTION V. PROJECT MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The project will be implemented under national execution modality and in compliance with UNDP Project Implementation Manual.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection is the Implementing Agency and bears overall responsibility for achieving the project objectives, planning, reporting, co-ordination with stakeholders. It is accountable for proper utilization of the project resources.
The Project Steering Committee (PSC) will be established to monitor the project implementation, evaluate achievement of expected results and ensure coordination among key stakeholders. The PSC will be composed of UNDP representatives, senior officials of the implementing agency, ministries and organizations concerned, representatives of local authorities of the pilot rayon (for PSC ToR see Annex 1).
The project will aim at applying local experts’ capacity at most, international experience and public participatory approach in the development of recommendations. Besides, the project will involve professional expertise of the UNDP Bratislava Regional Center.
Responsibilities of the parties:
The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection
Appoints the National Project Coordinator and vests him/her with the necessary authority to implement the project;
Assists project personnel in the efficient implementation of project activities, provides the office space for project management;
Approves work plans, annual and final financial reports;
Organizes and ensures performance of the Project Steering Committee (PSC);
Participates in preparation and submission of draft legislation and training materials relating to project, as well as in promotion of project achievements;
Contributes to efficient delivery of trainings and awareness raising activities;
Ensures preparation and submission of reports to the Ministry of Economy in line with the current requirements;
Coordinates the activities of organizations co-implementing the project. The United Nations Development Programme
Provides financial resources for the implementation of project activities in accordance with the approved work plans;
Renders organizational and technical assistance in project implementation within the limits of agreements (Appendix 4);
Performs project procurement in line with the UNDP Procurement Manual and Project Procurement Plan;
Performs the recruitment of project personnel in line with UNDP recruitment requirements, makes payments for the work performed and services provided at the rates established by UNDP for a particular type of work and services;
Participates in the work of PSC and conducts regular monitoring and evaluation of the project implementation in line with the UNDP procedures and regulations;
25
Provides international-scale publicity of the project and its results at the international level; conducts consultations and negotiations with representatives of international and donor organizations to attract their advisory and financial support.
The project’s organizational structure includes Project Manager and Assistant Project Manager who work on a full-time basis and hold contracts with UNDP. Terms of Reference are enclosed (Appendix 2). All personnel are recruited in line with UNDP procedures on a competitive basis. A representative of the Ministry of Labor appointed by the National Project Coordinator takes part in the interview panel for project personnel.
Project Manager and Assistant Project Manager perform the following key duties:
Implement project activities in line with detailed annual plans;
Cooperate with the Ministry of Labor and UNDP for project implementation matters;
Prepare reports and project work plans and submit them for PSC approval;
Prepare reports on the project implementation in a prescribed manner and submit them to the Ministry of Labor (Ministry of Economy) and UNDP in line with the timeframe approved;
Organize monitoring and evaluation of efficiency of the conducted activities;
Participate in PSC meetings and follow-up PSC decisions;
Prepare terms of reference and contracts for separate project activities in line with UNDP recruitment procedures and regulations; make payments for the work performed and services provided at UNDP rates established for a particular type of work and services.
Figure 1. Project management arrangements
Project Manager
Project Steering Committee
Representatives of pilot rayons
National Coordinator/MLSP UNDP
Quality Assurance
(UNDP Programme Officer)
Administrative support to the project (UNDP)
Organizational structure of the project
Assistant Project Manager
